The famous bullwhip used in the classic film Raiders of the Lost Ark is to be sold – and is expected to fetch £50,000.

Harrison Ford's character of Indiana Jones is never without his trusty whip, and it helps him escape death on numerous occasions.

The film is 30 years old and its popularity has endured, meaning memorabilia is hugely collectable.

The 12.5 ft-long "stunt whip" is thought to be the one used when Jones was dragged behind a military troop carrier, and is the only one from the film left intact.

It was retained by the special effects expert Kit West, who wrote a letter of provenance for the vendor that states: "Originally there were six whips. The one I'm giving you is the last one that is completely intact and in its original mint condition." It is being sold along with a fertility idol statue seen in the opening sequences of the film, itself expected to fetch £20,000.

Both items are going under the hammer at Bonhams in Los Angeles on 26 June. Catherine Williamson, director of entertainment memorabilia at the saleroom, said: "The whip was one of six used and is a real whip. We believe this was the one used in the stunt where Indiana Jones is being dragged behind a truck."

The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by George Lucas and was released in the US 30 years ago on Sunday. It tells the story of Jones, an archaeologist in the 1930s on the hunt for the Ark of the Covenant, racing against the Nazis.

Production was based at Elstree studios in London. It went on to be nominated for eight Academy Awards and won four.

The success led to further Indiana Jones films, including the Temple of Doom, the Last Crusade and, in 2008, the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

In 2003 Indiana Jones was ranked by the American Film Institute as the second greatest movie hero of all time.

In 2010 he ranked No 2 in Time's list of the greatest fictional characters of all time, surpassed by Sherlock Holmes.

Recently it was revealed that the role of Indiana Jones was offered to Tom Selleck before Harrison Ford took the part.